(Charles; 1926- ), rock musician and composer. Berry profoundly influenced early rock musicians of the late 1950s and early 1960s through his style and lyrics. He spent time in reform school and worked in an automobile plant before he became one of the first black rock stars. His first hit was "Maybellene" in 1955. Others included "Johnny B. Goode," "Sweet Little Sixteen," and "Rock and Roll Music."
